An investment forum entitled “Ready to Fund 2026 - Western Balkans Green Municipalities Investment Forum” was held in Skopje, organized by the Open Society Foundations - Western Balkans (OSF-WB) and the Green Mayors Alliance. This international event, attended on behalf of the City by Stefan Nikezić, Member of the City Council in charge of Environmental Improvement and Protection, and Ana Radojević, the City’s Energy Manager, is part of a green transition initiative implemented by OSF-WB across the region, bringing together cities ready to undertake green projects.
Recognizing the importance of this forum, the City of Kragujevac presented its environmental and infrastructure pilot project for the establishment of a “Park & Ride” (P&R) system. The project was presented by Stefan Nikezić, Member of the City Council in charge of Environmental Improvement and Protection. Speaking about its importance for the everyday lives of citizens and environmental protection, Nikezić pointed out that such a modern concept would address the long-standing problems of parking and traffic congestion in the city centre, allowing drivers to park their vehicles in a designated facility on the outskirts of the city or at its main entry points, while also setting new standards in environmental protection and improving the quality of life for all citizens.
With the aim of reducing the number of passenger cars entering the central urban area on a daily basis, the project envisages the gradual introduction of a Park & Ride (P&R) system, which would allow drivers to leave their vehicles in a designated parking area on the outskirts of the city centre or along the main access corridors and continue their journey towards the city centre by public transport, Nikezić explained. The first phase of this pilot project envisages establishing a Park & Ride system at the existing parking area in Vašarište, near the Čika Dača Stadium, two kilometres from the city centre. The site already has the necessary capacity and requires no major initial investment. The implementation of the pilot project involves upgrading the existing parking area to accommodate approximately 200 vehicles, installing a covered bus stop with real-time information displays, and providing a direct bus line to the city centre. Parking and a return bus ticket would be sold as a single ticket under the “Park & Ride” concept. The project would also include the installation of solar panels above the parking spaces, with a capacity of approximately 100 kWp, to supply electricity for 14 electric vehicles, while also reducing the City’s electricity bill. In such systems, stormwater is managed through bioretention channels and rain gardens. The total investment is estimated at EUR 1.2 million, Nikezić added, stressing the importance of presenting the pilot project at the forum, as it confirms the City’s commitment to modern environmental solutions, improved urban mobility and reduced air pollution, while seeking support for the implementation of major green investments.
The investment forum in Skopje aimed to connect local green projects across the region with international financial institutions and funds willing to support sustainable cities.
